Glycosylated haemoglobin in uraemia

Glycosylated haemoglobin (GHb) was measured in 71 patients with stable chronic renal failure by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction and by agar gel electrophoresis. Nineteen patients were diabetic. Of the non-diabetics, 22 were treated conservatively (including 8 children), 15 by maintenance haemodialysis, and 15 by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. GHb measured by both methods correlated with postprandial blood glucose levels. There was a significant discrepancy between the two methods only in patients with serum urea concentrations greater than 30 mmol/l, mean +/- SD, (6.8 +/- 2.6% vs 8.2 +/- 2.5% for TBA and electrophoresis, respectively). This difference, delta GHb, correlated with serum urea, serum creatinine, and serum bicarbonate, but after logistic regression of results from all 71 patients only serum urea was associated with delta GHb. Lower haemoglobin and GHb and high fetal haemoglobin concentrations in the haemodialysis group suggested increased haemolysis in these patients. Measurement of GHb by the TBA method and by agar gel electrophoresis remain useful indicators of hyperglycaemia in patients with mild, stable chronic renal failure.

The effects of two forms of isometric training on the mechanical properties of the triceps surae in man

The training effects of rhythmic and sustained isometric contractions on the contractile characteristics of the triceps surae have been investigated in four healthy subjects over a period of 8 weeks. One leg (ST) of each subject was trained by performing repeated daily sustained (1 min) isometric contractions at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction force (MVC), and the other using rhythmic isometric contractions at 100% of MVC. The protocol was so arranged that the total area under the training force/time curves was the same for each limb. Electrically evoked maximal twitch (Pt) and tetanic (Po) tensions of the triceps surae were measured weekly on both legs using a standard procedure. The results showed that the rhythmic regime increased the MVC at the rate of 5.5% per week and the sustained training increased MVC at the rate of 3.3% per week. Twitch and tetanic tensions were not altered by either regime. However, only training using sustained contractions produced a progressive increase in endurance as measured by performance in a fatigue test. The results suggest that increases in voluntary strength resulting from short term isometric training are not necessarily associated with a rise in the intrinsic involuntary capacity of muscle fibres to generate force.

Mechanical power output in children aged 11 and 14 years

Short-term power output in jumping and cycling has been measured in 56 children aged 11 and 14 years. The results showed that the peak power output in cycling (Wb) and jumping (Wp) were closely associated (r = 0.91) but in absolute terms Wb was approximately 34% greater than Wb. There were no significant differences in Wb (or Wp) between the 11-year-old boys and girls, but the 14-year-old boys recorded approximately 25% higher power output values in cycling and jumping than girls of the same age and were approximately twice as powerful as their younger male counterparts. The velocity of movement in cycling (Vb) and jumping (VT) for a given age were identical and independent of sex in the younger children. Peak power output in cycling was reached when force and velocity were equivalent to 50% of their calculated maximal values. When Wb and Wp were related to an anthropometric estimate of leg muscle (plus bone) volume the difference in absolute power output between the children disappeared. The results suggest that the difference between Wp and Wb and the increase in absolute mechanical power output with age is mainly a function of size and the force which can be exerted at the optimal frequency of movement in children.

Muscle weakness following sustained and rhythmic isometric contractions in man

The effects of sustained and rhythmically performed isometric contractions on electrically evoked twitch and tetanic force generation of the triceps surae have been investigated in 4 healthy male subjects. The isometric contractions were performed separately and on different occasions at 30%, 60% and 100% of the force of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The area under the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force/time curve during the rhythmic and sustained contractions was the same for each experiment. The results showed that following rhythmic isometric exercise there was a small decrease in low (10 and 20 Hz) and high (40 Hz) frequency tetanic tension which was associated with % MVC. However, there was no change in the 20/40 ratio of tetanic forces, MVC or the contraction times and force of the maximal twitch. In contrast, following sustained isometric exercise tetanic forces were markedly reduced, particularly at low frequencies of stimulation. The 20/40 ratio decreased and the induced muscle weakness was greater at 30% than 60% or 100% MVC. The performance of sustained isometric contractions also effected a decrease in contraction time of the twitch and MVC. The results are in accord with previous findings for dynamic work (Davies and White 1982), and show that if isometric exercise is performed rhythmically the effect on tetanic tensions is small and there is no evidence of a preferential loss of electrically evoked force at either high or low frequencies of stimulation following the contractions. For sustained contractions, however, the opposite is true, the ratio of 20/40 Hz forces is markedly reduced and following 30% sustained MVC there is a significant (p less than 0.05) change in the time to peak tension (TPT) of the maximal twitch.

Trans acting regulation of beta globin gene expression in erythroleukemia (K562) cells

K562 cells are induced by hemin to produce gamma and epsilon globin but not beta globin, although the beta globin gene is intact, and when isolated is expressed in a transient expression assay (1, 2). We have previously shown that an epsilon globin gene transferred into K562 cells is expressed and inducible (3). In this paper, we report the stable transfer of a sickle or betaS globin gene into K562 cells. Thirty-six different transformed lines were tested; 24 of 36 lines contained an intact betaS globin gene. However, using S1 nuclease, Dot blot, and Northern blotting analyses, none of these lines showed beta globin mRNA expression. These results indicate that trans acting factors are responsible for the lack of expression of the beta globin gene in K562 cells.

Abnormal globin gene structure and expression in beta-thalassemia

Over the past five years, several new defects in the beta-thalassemias have been described from this laboratory using both restriction enzyme and sequencing analyses of cloned beta-thalassemia genes. The enzyme HphI has been shown to recognize a single nucleotide change at the 5' end of beta-IVS 2, and, using restriction enzyme analysis, demonstrated for the first time a specific defect associated with beta(0)-thalassemia. Cloning and sequencing of a beta-thalassemia gene have identified a single base change within IVS 2 at a position 705 nucleotides from the 5' end of IVS 2 that results in a beta(0)-thalassemia phenotype; no normal splicing occurs in this gene despite the fact that both the 5' and 3' ends of IVS 2 are unchanged. A unique and strong cryptic 3' acceptor splice site present in the normal gene at a position 580 nucleotides from the 5' end is used extensively in the mutant gene. Studies of this gene have indicated that there are sequences within IVS that are responsible for optimal expression of this gene; changes in these sequences can lead to markedly abnormal patterns of splicing. In addition, beta-globin gene expression has been evaluated in human erythroleukemia cells, K562 cells, and, although stable transformants with integrated beta-globin genes have been obtained, none of these transformants expressed the added beta-globin genes. This is presumably due to trans-acting factors or distal cis-acting effects that suppress the expression of these added beta-globin genes. In addition, a low epsilon-producing cell line, Bos cells, was used as a recipient for an exogenous epsilon-globin gene. A neomycin resistance gene was cotransfected into these cells, and a neomycin analogue (G418) was used to select cells containing both the neomycin resistance and epsilon-globin genes. Using Southern blotting, 10 of 11 stably transformed G418-resistant lines, which contain intact epsilon-globin genes, express epsilon-globin mRNA at much higher levels than the Bos cells into which they were transfected. Two of these lines express the epsilon-globin genes at a level comparable to that of wild-type K562 cells. These results indicate that the transfer and expression of human globin genes in human erythroid cells is feasible, and can occur at a high level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Subcellular localization of lethal lysis proteins of bacteriophages lambda and phiX174

The gene products of the lethal lysis genes S and E of the bacteriophages lambda and phiX174, respectively, were shown to be associated primarily with inner membrane material by isopycnic sucrose gradient centrifugation of lysates of infected cells. A small amount of each polypeptide appeared to be in the outer membrane fraction.

Effect of diet on human muscle weakness following prolonged exercise

The effect of altering muscle glycogen on the ability of skeletal muscle to generate voluntary and electrically evoked isometric force following prolonged exercise has been investigated in five healthy male subjects. Measurements from the triceps surae were made at rest, and before and after prolonged exercise (uphill walking) at approximately 75% VO2 max in low muscle glycogen (low CHO) and high muscle glycogen (high CHO) conditions. The results showed that before exercise there was no change in maximal twitch tension (Pto), maximal tetanic tension at frequencies of 10 (Po10), 20 (Po20) and 50 HZ (Po50), and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in low and high CHO compared with normal. The loss of force during a 2 min electrically evoked "fatigue test" at rest was found to be higher (p less than 0.05) in low CHO and lower (p less than 0.05) in high CHO than normal. Following the prolonged exercise, muscle weakness was produced in both low and high CHO conditions, but was found to be significantly greater in the low CHO condition for the measurements of Po10 (P less than 0.01), Po20 (p less than 0.05) and MVC (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that changes in muscle glycogen alone do not alter the isometric force generating capacity of human muscle, but when combined with prolonged exercise low muscle glycogen enhances exercise-induced muscle weakness.

Effect of heating on the contractile properties of triceps surae and maximal power output during jumping in elderly men

The electrically evoked contractile properties of the triceps surae and short-term (less than 2 s) maximal power output during vertical jumping have been examined before and after heating (by water immersion) in 5 elderly men aged 70 +/- 5 years. Leg immersion in water at 44 degrees C for 30 min produced a 3.4 degrees C rise in muscle temperature (Tm) and was associated with a significant (p less than 0.001) reduction in maximal time to peak tension and half relaxation time of the twitch, but was without affect on maximal twitch, tetanic (20 and 50 Hz) and voluntary tensions. However, at 10 Hz maximal tetanic tension was reduced (p less than 0.05) from 604 +/- 104 to 422 +/- 142 N. During vertical jumping from a force platform, peak power output (W) was significantly (p less than 0.05) increased from 1,155 +/- 212 to 1,381 +/- 307 W after heating. The rise in W was due to a small increase in both take-off velocity and the exerted force, and was reflected in a 3-cm increase in the height jumped from the force platform. It is concluded that the contractile characteristics of elderly triceps surae can be modified by heating and a rise in Tm does effect a change in the capacity of the muscle to generate power.

Deletion and fusion analysis of the phage phi X174 lysis gene E

The lysis gene, E, of bacteriophage phi X174 has been subjected to deletion and gene fusion analysis. C-terminal deletions of as few as 17 of the 91 codons inactivate the cloned E gene, which in its intact form can cause lysis of the host cell. Fusion of lacZ to deletion joints at the 59th codon or beyond apparently restores lethal and lytic competence to the respective E deletion alleles, whereas a fusion at the 23rd codon remains non-lethal. The lethal E phi lacZ fusions are also lethal to a mutant, designated slyD, which was isolated as a spontaneous E. coli mutant resistant to the expression of the intact E gene. slyD appears to be linked to rpsE. The data are interpreted in terms of a model in which E-mediated lethality requires oligomerization of the E gene product. Calculations based on the beta-galactosidase activity accumulated by the time of lethal action of E phi lacZ suggest that fewer than 1000 molecules of E gene product are required for lysis and probably fewer than 100 are required for loss of host viability.

Erythroleukemia (K562) cells contain a functional beta-globin gene

K562 cells are human erythroid cells that synthesize embryonic and fetal globins but not adult beta-globin. A cloned beta-globin gene was isolated from K562 cells and transfected into HeLa cells. The RNA transcripts produced were comparable in both amount and size to those obtained with a normal beta-globin gene.

Stable transfer and expression of exogenous human globin genes in human erythroleukemia (K562) cells

To study the expression of globin genes in human cells, human epsilon-globin genes were transferred into a K562 cell line, Bos, which synthesizes very low amounts of epsilon-globin mRNA. A plasmid (pSV2neo-epsilon) containing a complete epsilon-globin gene and 2 kilobases (kb) of 5' flanking DNA as well as a neomycin-resistance gene and a simian virus 40 origin of replication was transfected into Bos cells; the compound G418, a neomycin analogue, was used to select transformed cells. The presence of unique bands by DNA restriction analysis shows that 11 of 14 of the G418-resistant clones have at least one copy of an integrated epsilon-globin gene. RNA expression measured by RNA blotting shows significantly more epsilon-globin mRNA sequences than in untransfected Bos cells in 10 of 11 lines; in most lines, epsilon-globin mRNA was additionally increased in the presence of hemin. In two lines, epsilon-globin mRNA expression with hemin was comparable to that of a high epsilon-globin producing cell line, K562 clone 2. The one G418-resistant line without epsilon-globin genes had no epsilon-mRNA expression. The high epsilon-mRNA expression in several of the lines suggests that exogenous epsilon-globin genes with only 2-kb 5' flanking DNA may be sufficient to be appropriately expressed in these homologous erythroid cells. These results have implications for the potential success of transfer of normal human genes to human bone marrow cells as an approach to the treatment of inherited anemias.

Effects of external loading on short term power output in children and young male adults

The effects of external loading, in the form of small weights distributed evenly over the limbs and torso, on physical performance and power output have been studied during vertical jumping in 10 children and four young adults and the results compared with maximal cycling. The results show under control (unloaded) conditions the absolute peak power output (W) achieved by children and adults was 572 W (45%) and 765 W (25%) respectively higher in cycling than jumping. The addition of weights during jumping served only to increase this difference. External loading produced a linear decrease of W in both groups of subjects. The reduction in W was entirely due to a decrease of take-off velocity (VT). The relationship between VT and added weights (delta wt) could be described by the equations: VT (ms-1) = 1.91 - 0.042 delta wt (kg); r = -0.96 (children); VT (ms-1) = 2.49 - 0.021 delta wt (kg); r = -0.99 (adults). Thus, contrary to the recent work of Caiozzo and Kyle (1980) which involved stair-climbing, body size and speed of movement in children and young adults would appear to be optimally matched for the production of lifting work during vertical jumping. External loading reduces the generation of power output immediately prior to take-off of a maximal jump from a force platform.

Identification of Mr variants of prolactin with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies ( QB01 and 1200) prepared against human prolactin (hPRL) have helped define a variant form of the hormone. This variant is of apparently higher molecular mass (26 kDa) than the predominant form of the hormone (24 kDa) and its presence does not appear to be species-restricted. The demonstration of the 26 kDa form of hPRL in fresh pituitary tissue and amniotic fluid suggests it may retain some specific function.

Analytic calculation of electron beam isodose distributions

Analytical techniques have been developed to generate electron beam isodose distributions from a modest set of experimental data. These techniques include (1) development of a compact yet powerful linear least-squares optimization program with a graphic display of the results, (2) coordinate transformations to allow straightforward fitting of the isodose distributions with simple polynomial functions, and (3) accurate interpolation methods to allow production of treatment planning dose matrices. The program, written in FORTRAN, has been implemented on a minicomputer and uses the standard peripherals of a commercially available treatment planning system (AECL TP-11). The computer-generated isodose and central-axis distributions correspond very closely with the data for electron energies from 5 to 20 MeV and for all field sizes.

Specific globin mRNAs in human erythroleukemia (K562) cells

Specific globin mRNA accumulation was quantitated in several lines of K562 cells in the absence and the presence of hemin. Using specific cloned DNA probes, the amounts of zeta, alpha, epsilon and gamma mRNAs were shown to be increased 2-3-fold in the presence of 20 microM hemin. No delta- or beta-globin mRNAs were detectable in any of the lines. In one line, Bos, there was a marked decrease in epsilon-globin mRNA, which increased with hemin, although still to much lower levels than in the other lines. The decreased epsilon-globin mRNA accumulation in Bos is shown to be due to decreased epsilon-globin gene transcription.

Aflatoxicol and aflatoxins B1 and M1 in eggs and tissues of laying hens consuming aflatoxin-contaminated feed

This study was undertaken to relate quantitatively the aflatoxin residue found in eggs and tissues to the aflatoxin intake via feed. Eighteen hens were fed an aflatoxin B1 (B1)-contaminated feed (8 micrograms/g) for 7 days, after which half the group was sacrificed; the remainder were sacrificed after an additional 7 days on an aflatoxin-free diet. Eggs were collected over the entire 14-day period. Aflatoxicol (R0), B1, or both were found in eggs and tissues (kidneys, liver, muscle, blood, and ova). Aflatoxin M1 (M1) (.04 to .1 ng/g) was found only in the kidneys. Levels of R0 and B1 were approximately the same in eggs, ova, kidneys, and liver. In eggs, the levels of R0 and B1 (.02 to .2 ng/g) increased steadily for 4 or 5 days, after which time the levels plateaued and then decreased after B1 withdrawal at the same rate as they had increased. At 7 days after withdrawal, only trace amounts of R0 (.01 ng/g) remained in eggs. All tissues, except blood, from hens sacrificed immediately before aflatoxin withdrawal contained R0 (.04 to .4 ng/g) or R0 and B1 (.04 to .8 ng/g). The R0 (.03 to .11 ng/g) was the only aflatoxin detected in muscle, and B1 (.05 to .07 ng/g) was the only aflatoxin in blood. Seven days after aflatoxin withdrawal, B1 (.08 ng/g) was found in one of nine livers and R0 (.01 to .04 ng/g) in eight of nine muscles analyzed, but no aflatoxins were found in any other tissues.